According to environmentalists, the systematic destruction of nature in the Botan region of Northern Kurdistan has reached a new peak. In addition to massive deforestation, dam projects and mining activities are also part of a deliberate policy of “depopulation and uprooting,” according to the assessment of the Ecology Platform Şırnak.
Led by the Platform of Democratic Institutions, a protest march was staged in Şırnak today ahead of an overnight vigil to be held in Besta against the ongoing ecological destruction in Şırnak and its districts.
The demonstration was organized under the motto “No to ecological destruction, we are marching against the plundering of nature.”
The crowd gathered at Cumhuriyet Square in the center of Şırnak and marched to Ömer Kabak Square. The march was attended by Keskin Bayındır and Çiğdem Kılıçgün Uçar, co-chairs of the Democratic Regions Party (DBP); Tülay Hatimoğulları, co-chair of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party); DEM Party MPs; Mertcan Titiz, co-chair of the Socialist Reconstruction Party (SYKP); Didem Göçer, co-spokesperson of the Green Left Party; Orhan Çelebi, member of the Central Executive Committee of the Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP); the Democratic Unity Initiative; the Climate Justice Coalition; representatives of democratic mass organizations; ecology organizations from Şırnak, Mardin, Amed, Urfa, Siirt and Batman; and numerous citizens.
‘The liberation of nature is the liberation of humanity’
Derya Akyol from the Mesopotamia Ecology Movement read the joint press statement and provided information about the places that have been plundered in Kurdistan. Stating that the region of Şırnak was being targeted as a whole, Akyol said, “These attacks are not just an environmental issue. They are also a planned strategy of destruction against the memory, culture, way of life, and future of the Kurdish people. We know that nature is not just the space we live on; it is an inseparable part of our social memory, our culture, and our freedom. Rivers are not just water; they are the memory of peoples. Mountains are not just rocks and soil; they are symbols of our memory and resistance. Our forests are not just trees; they are life itself.”
“We believe that the liberation of nature is the liberation of humanity,” said Derya Akyol, addressing the authorities as follows: “Abandon this relentless war against nature and the people immediately! Do not darken the future of the people with security-focused and capital-oriented policies. Stop mining, dam, and oil projects that irreversibly destroy the ecosystem.”
‘Start peace in Cudi, Gabar, and Besta’
Recalling Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan’s words, “It is impossible to make peace with people without making peace with nature,” Akyol said, “If we are to speak of true peace, the path to it lies through the mountains, forests, streams, and villages of Botan. Our call to all political actors is this: start peace in Cudi, Gabar, and Besta. Start peace by ceasing to view nature as an unlimited resource. Start peace by allowing the Tigris to flow freely. As defenders of life, we will continue to be the voice of the mountains, forests, waters, and all living things because we know that defending nature is defending life.”
‘The nature of Botan has been plundered for eight years’
Speaking after, DBP Co-Chair Keskin Bayındır said, “Our nature in Botan is under attack based on an occupying mentality. We have been standing against attacks on nature for years and will continue to do so until the end. We know how the government treats the nature of Kurdistan. A fire broke out in Şemdinli, but not a single helicopter took off, even though there are hundreds of military helicopters. It is clear what kind of mentality they have towards our nature. As the peoples of Kurdistan and Turkey, we do not accept this. The nature of Botan has been plundered for eight years. We know what those claiming to be “renewing nature” have done. To date, our friends have carried out many actions against these policies. Hostility towards nature must end.”
‘The path to peace lies in making peace with our trees and waters’
Referring to the Peace and Democratic Society Process initiated by Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan, Keskin Bayındır said, “The path to peace lies in making peace with our trees and waters. Today, everything is being plundered. Under the guise of oil and mineral exploration, the nature of Kurdistan is being plundered. Our march today has two messages. One is the message from the people of Şırnak that ‘we are protecting our nature’. The people of Şırnak must be responsive to this plunder. Our second message is a wake-up call against this plunder. We warn those who are complicit, who turn a blind eye. Today there are thousands of us, tomorrow there will be tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands if this plunder continues. Everyone should take the message from this march. We will fight until ecocide ends. Stop plundering nature. Our call to those in Şırnak who call themselves Kurds but help this plunder: stop this dishonor. Our struggle will continue to the end.”
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